(no subject)

[serene]

I asked the following question of stonebender just now, and I'll ask y'all, too:

The insurance company is denying the thyroid stuff until I've been with them 6 months (that will be October 1st). Trying to decide whether to just try to pay for the biopsy myself, or wait until October. I've waited 3 years already. 4 more months probably won't make much difference, especially since the thyroid guy thinks it's benign. What do you think?

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

If it were me, I'd wait.

[maestrodog.livejournal.com]

Sounds to me like you've pretty much already made your decision anyway.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

If I had already made my decision, I wouldn't be posting asking for opinions.

[firecat]

Here are some questions I would ask in trying to make that decision:

How much does it cost?

I understand it's benign, but does having the tumor cause damage elsewhere in your body because your thyroid isn't working right?

Will getting the biopsy lead to treatment that might reduce the symptoms that are bothering you and/or reduce or stop any such damage?

How much would said treatment cost?

[artemii.livejournal.com]

these are first the questions i'd ask as well.

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

I already asked your second question, and the answer is that my thyroid *is* working right. The growth isn't affecting thyroid function.

I am waiting for a callback on the money questions, but looks like if I get the biopsy now and pay for it, I'd have to wait *another* six months to have the surgery on the insurance company's dime, so that's another vote for waiting. Frustrating, but not terribly so.

[loracs.livejournal.com]

If you pay now for the diagnoses, will the insurance company pay for the treatment after Oct. 1? In other words: Read the Fine Print.

On the overall question, unless the cost is well within your budget comfort zone, I'd probably wait. What is more stressful for you, 1. waiting until Oct. for more information or 2. budget stuff? Just thinking about you (or anyone) having to make these kinds of decisions because of our screwed up medical delivery system is stressing me out!

[cassidyrose.livejournal.com]

If you pay now for the diagnoses, will the insurance company pay for the treatment after Oct. 1? In other words: Read the Fine Print.

Exactly my question. It is iffy with insurance companies whether they will pay for treatment on something like that if you have the diagnosis pre-coverage. Oh, and be when you ask about cost, make sure you get total cost. They will bill you for the technician for the biopsy, the lab work and the doctor to read the lab report.

[firecat]

If the growth isn't affecting the way your thyroid functions, then why have it biopsied/removed at all?

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Biopsied: to rule out something malignant

Removed: because it's large enough to be pressing on my esophagus and causing pain, swallowing issues, and worry

[firecat]

Sounds like you'll be out thousands of dollars if you don't wait, but it also sounds kinda scary and unpleasant to wait. [hugs]

[lcohen]

well first i want to kill your insurance company.

what will they do if the tumor is benign--i think it's not at all clear that benign=no worries--just not cancer. it still might be having an impact on your health--what's his plan of attack in that case? i'd use that as the leaping off point for my decision.

[lcohen]

whoops--should have refreshed the window before responding.

[rmjwell.livejournal.com]

Pick whichever option gives you greatest peace of mind.

[wild-irises.livejournal.com]

Sometimes RJ is really smart ...

[serenejournal.livejournal.com]

Yes. But. If the option that gives me most peace of mind is something I don't have the money for...

[windsea.livejournal.com]

I will restrain myself from a rant about supposedly civilized countries that do not have publicly funded health care.

I think you should go with your gut. Benign merely means non-cancerous, not necessarily insignificant. Yes, it's been 3 years. But do you think there have been changes in the past few months? Do you *feel* that things are getting worse?

Of course, there are the issues about insurance and prior knowledge and so forth, which I'm not qualified to comment on. But all other things being equal -- go with your gut.

[pyrzqxgl.livejournal.com]

Wait, I guess, but crap! I'm trying to remember where it was I had read the line "Health insurance is not the solution. Health insurance is the problem. Health care is the solution." Ugh!

[treacle-well.livejournal.com]

Ask your doctor. My experience is that they tend to be sympathetic toward the financial concerns of patients without insurance, and my guess is he/she will be honest with you about whether or not it would be grossly imprudent to put the biopsy off for a little bit.